“Did you really think I wouldn’t be able to use the umbrella, read the book, or use the mug?” I asked while laughing.
“I accidentally put the mug on the last part of the cup container and I know you. You hate to be inconvenienced, to consume too much of your time in trivial matters, especially in looking for a mug when the ones you often use are so easy to reach,” Alexandros replied while smiling. “I didn’t realize you’d actually have the time to look for it. The man I sent to guard you told me that the weather in Tokyo was nice. He even blamed me for giving you an umbrella instead of a coat so you could use it right away.”
Alexandros chuckled. “I didn’t think you’d use the umbrella. And the documents you need to study are piled up so I knew you wouldn’t have the time to read the book. You’ve been too busy… that’s when I also realized that all the methods I used suck.”
“I’m not too busy not to miss you, Xandros. I remembered all the things you gave me when I no longer saw you. I would have said yes to you a long time ago, and save you the trouble. Why didn’t you just say it anyway?” I asked, still smiling, and tried to smack him on the shoulder but he caught my hand and brought it to his lips.
“When I failed on my third attempt, I realized that it’s probably fate’s way of telling me that you deserve a much better proposal. So, kindly pretend you didn’t see any of those.” Alexandros grinned and glanced at the crowd who were now laughing. “And pretend that everybody here didn’t hear that all my previous attempts sucked. I’d also pretend that I didn’t hear your answer yet.”
Alexandros winked at me playfully before he became serious again. “To be honest, I never believe in miracles, Alison. I thought it was just a crap created by people to give them something to hold on to. It was pathetic. It was unreal. It was a lie. And then I met you.”
Alexandros tenderly wiped my tears with the back of his hands and pressed on. “All my life, I feel like I’ve been living someone else’s life. But meeting you made me meet the real me, the real Alexandros. I feel like the real me had been so used to hiding. Because I wasn’t allowed to be who I really am back in where I came from. That’s why when I finally became free, I wasn’t sure how to start being ‘me’. But you are different, Alison. You are loud. You’re a little hard-headed, too.”
I pouted. “Do you want me to take back my answer?”
He just smiled. “You turned my world upside down and as if that wasn’t enough, you also included me on the long list of the people who loves you. You made me fall in love with you… and I’m really glad I did.” He held my hand tighter. “You found me, Alison. You found me when I was hiding. You reached out to me, reminded me of who I truly am, and made me realize what I needed. And it’s you. It’s the happiness that could only be found in you. Because of you, I realized that all this time, I just want to be found. I just want to be happy.
“I wanted everybody here to know just how amazing you are… and how much I love you. I also wanted to share with them the joy that you brought to my life. Alison, I’m not as perfect as you think. As we go along our journey together, you’d realize that there are things I still can’t do. Maybe they’re not too many. But they’re not too few either.”
I smiled and said, “It doesn’t matter.”
He smiled back. “I know that there are plenty of guys out there who deserves you more than I do. But I want you to know that I will never give up on trying to become the man who deserves you. I can love you more each day. Your happiness will always be my number one priority. I want mornings and nights filled with you… only you.”
Alexandros took out the ring in his pocket and bent his knee.
“This life’s journey isn’t meant to be traveled alone. It’s exhausting and boring to travel alone. Will you… give me the honor to accompany you in this journey for the rest of your life?”
Slowly, my smile faded as I looked at Alexandros’ gorgeous face. Even if my parents already told me that we’d be going to the engagement party of the daughter of their friend, I didn’t believe them. Because mom kept telling me to pick the most beautiful dress for the event.
Their eyes were also filled with joy while saying that even if I didn’t end up with Jeremiah, I still fell in love with someone who was as good as Jeremiah. Those little things gave me clues about where we were really heading.
I never imagined that I would actually end up being with Alexandros. I also never imagined that I would be loved by him this much. Alexandros sang for me as if I was the loveliest woman he had ever seen. He had always been like that even if I knew that he had met plenty of women who were better than me. Yet, he always looked at me as if he was seeing the Miss Universe in me.
I was aware that there were many women who tried to hit on him. Even in Japan. But he had never entertained any of those. But he was different with me. That’s why I feel confident even if there were times when we don’t see each other. Because his beautiful eyes… never failed to tell me that I was the only one for him, that I was the only one he could clearly see.